Union Minister for Corporate Affairs M. Veeappa Moily has asked people to constitute producers' societies to help in processing agriculture produce and manufacturing value-added products from them.
Mr. Moily, who addressed a convention of self-help groups here on Sunday, said farmers had been facing problems as hardly 6 per cent of the agriculture produce was being processed. Creation of producers' societies would help in generating funds for processing and creating facilities necessary for value-added products.
The Union Minister said a producers' society would be different from a cooperative society as it would not be as rigid as the latter. A producers' society could be formed by a group of 10 farmers or two organisations. It could allow investments by companies. “I want to make this a national movement,” he said.
Later, Mr. Moily told presspersons that the thrust of producers' societies would be on agricultural business. Creation of producers' societies was among the initiatives included in the Companies Bill, which was before Parliament, he said.
Mr. Moily was participating in the programme jointly organised by Caritas India and Canara Organisation for Development and Peace.
Mr. Moily asked women to educate children and not be overawed of their illiteracy. Women had a greater role to play in shaping the future citizens of the country. “Do not neglect children because of learning and other disabilities. You can find future Einstein or C.V. Raman in them,” he said.
He lauded the role of Mangalore Dioceses in the development of the region. The educational institutions run by the Dioceses had been able to provide strong foundation for people from the region. He asked non-governmental organisations to join hands with the Government in providing basic needs to people in far-flung areas.
Mangalore Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza said economic development had increased inequality. Work should be done to bridge inequality and protect the oppressed class.
Mr. D'souza felicitated members of some SHGs for their contribution towards development of the society.
They were Sneha Samudaya Arogya Samiti from Kinnigoli, Vishnu Swa Sahaya Sangha from Puttige, and Spandana Mahila Okkuta from Kumble. Gram panchayat presidents Bharat S. Chowta from Belthangady and Shamshad from Kasargod were felicitated.
